The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-04-25
A LETTER FROM THE GOVERNOR
In Relation 10 the Arrest Of the Moore
Lynchors.

LynchorS.
From the Macon Telegraph
The following letter from Gov. Gordon
was received Friday night by Judge Sim
mons:
Estate. oF GEORGIA, EXECUTIVE DEPT,
ATLANTA, GA, April Il, 1881.
"To Hon. 9honias J. Simmons Judge Of
the Superior Courts Of the Macon or
cut:
DEAR SIR-On the 18th inst. a proclama-
ton was issued by the Secretary OF State,
III pursuance of an order made Ill thaU
office, Offering a reward of $50 each Tor the
arrest and delivery TO the Sheriff OF Blbb
county of Lee James, Fred Perkins, II.
Parker, w. G. Ford and W. A. johnson.
These parties had been indicted at the
October term, 1886, of the Superior
Court of Bib county, for the muir
der of James Moore, and, though
months had elapsed, were still at
large on April H. The proclamation offer
ing the rewards appeared III the Macon Iete-
graph April H. Within q few hours after
ward three Of the above named fugltlves
from justice were arrested by different par
ties, without assistance of any kind from
any officer of the law in Bibb county.
Their arrests were accomplished with an
ease and an ex petition which was remark
able There was no danger, no delay, and
very little expense attending them. Private
parties, not charged with the execution of
process of the law, in a few hours succeeded
in doing what the Sheriff of Blbb
county, with the assistance of his deputies
and bailiffs, armed with bench warrants,
which he was bound to execute with due
diligence, and with the authority to summon
a posse to his aid, have failed in four months
to accomplish. w. G. Ford was arrested in
Warren county, W. A. johnson was ar
rested in Spalding county and II. Parker
was, us am informed, arrested IN the city
of Macon, where he had been for months
after his indictment, engaged in his usual
avocatiOns, without disguise or any at
tempt at concealment, under the very
nose of the Sheriff of Bib county.
This failure has already cost the State of
Georgia $3.50. Comment ON these facts is
unnecessary. Their simple statement is
condemnation of the officer charged with
the arrest of these fugiuives from justice. If
they are true, they present n case, not sim
ply of great carelessnesS, but of gross neg
lect of duty; and | would feel that | was
remisS in the discharge of my duty if | did
not call your attention to them. What &C
ton, if any, should be taken in the premises,
| leave to your better Judgment
Il am constantly impOrtuned to offer
rewards for the arrest of fugitive criminals.
If / granted all these petitions the cOntin-
gent fund would be exhausted by Oct. l.
Many officers of the law seem to think that
there is no obligation upon them TO use any
effort to arrest criminal who is at large.
When grave crime has been committed, if
the criminal is not arrested upon the spot,
the next step usually is to apply to this office
to offer a reward for his capture. This is an
evil which is constantly growing and will
continue to grow unless some corrective is
applied by the courts or by the Legislature.
"Pernit me to say in conclusion that in
addressing this communication to you, l
| have no disposition to interfere in the bust
ness of your courts, or to dictate to you in
this or any other matter connected with
them. l may add that there is no occasion
for me to do so, because | know that you
are prompt, vigilant and able in the dis
| charge of your duties.
Il am, my dear Judge, very truly and
respectfully yours,
~. B. GORDON, Governor